About the Book

Book: Avenue of Betrayal

Author: Sandra Merville Hart

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: February 8, 2022

Betrayed by her brother and the man she loves…whom can she trust when tragedy strikes?

Soldiers are pouring into Washington City every day and have begun drilling in preparation for a battle with the Confederacy. Annie Swanson worries for her brother, whom she’s just discovered is a Confederate officer in his new home state of North Carolina. Even as Annie battles feelings of betrayal toward the big brother she’s always adored, her wealthy banker father swears her and her sister to secrecy about their brother’s actions. How could he forsake their mother’s abolitionist teachings?

Sergeant-Major John Finn camps within a mile of the Swansons’ mansion where his West Point pal once lived. Sweet Annie captured his heart at Will’s wedding last year and he looks forward to reestablishing their relationship—until he’s asked to spy on her father.

To prove her father’s loyalty to the Union, John agrees to spy on the Swanson family, though Annie must never know. Then the war strikes a blow that threatens to destroy them all—including the love that’s grown between them against all odds.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Sandra Merville Hart, award-winning and Amazon bestselling author of inspirational historical romances, loves to discover little-known yet fascinating facts from American history to include in her stories. Her desire is to transport her readers back in time. She is also a blogger, speaker, and conference teacher. Connect with Sandra on her blog, https://sandramervillehart.wordpress.com/.

More from Sandra

I’m often asked where ideas for my stories originate. That answer varies because inspiration comes from unexpected sources. Searching for inspiration seems to make it more elusive. Story ideas usually happen when I’m doing something unrelated to my books, like visiting a museum or historical home while on vacation.

Ideas for this series stemmed from research for a “Civil War Women” series of articles I wrote for my blog. There are many women from the North and South featured in that series—and many more that deserve recognition. What surprised me was the number of known female spies from both sides. It’s likely that many others either didn’t seek praise after the war or feared retribution and never revealed their activities.

Rose Greenhow, a Confederate spy living in Washington DC (Washington City, as it was called at that time) in 1861, created an impressive spy network. Coded messages were sent on a “Secret Line.” Several couriers in a chain passed on messages in common places such as docks, taverns, and farmhouses.

Rose’s spy network from Boston to New Orleans was the largest in the war—48 women and 2 men.

Allan Pinkerton, head of Lincoln’s Intelligence Service, was given the task to find Confederate spies and he placed Greenhow under surveillance.

She was arrested in August of 1861.

Though the series is about a fictional family, there are actual historical spies who touch the stories. Rose is one of them.

Avenue of Betrayal is set in Washington City (Washington DC) in 1861, where a surprising number of Confederate sympathizers and spies lived.

Through both real and fictional characters, this series will highlight activities spies were involved in and some of the motives behind their decisions.

I invite you to read Avenue of Betrayal and the rest of the series that will soon follow. I’d love to know what you think!

Interview with Sandra

Welcome Sandra! I’m so happy to have you on the blog. To start us off, why don’t you tell readers what book is currently on your bedside table?

Rarely do I have just one! I choose two or three from my “to read” stack for my table.

Right now, I have three: The Librarian’s Journey, a collection of novellas by Patty Smith Hall, Cynthia Hickey, Marilyn Turk, and Kathleen Y’Barbo. I love to learn something about history as I read. I didn’t know that librarians brought books by horseback to remote homes. I’m enjoying this collection.

Next up is Pegg Thomas’s Maggie’s Strength, Book 2 in her Forts of Refuge series. I read Sarah’s Choice—an amazing beginning to the series! I love Pegg’s books and can’t wait to begin this next one.

Last on my current stack is Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown. My sister highly recommended this one. I borrowed her copy and she has highlighted sections and made notes on specific pages. I’m sure it will be an insightful book.

Wow! Those sound like great books! What has been your favorite part of the publishing journey? 

That’s easy—the author friends I’ve met along the way.

I knew I had a lot to learn when I began my writing journey so I attended writer conferences. The first year I was focused on the learning rather than the folks sitting to the right and left of me in classes. Slowly I realized that I wasn’t the least experienced in the group and certainly not the most experienced. All attendees were at different places…and they all understood the struggle.

I can’t express what a blessing it is to walk this road with so many writers who became dear friends. I’m in their corner and they’re in mine. A blessing, indeed.

Author friends are the best! It really is a supportive community! Can you share with us something about the book that isn’t in the blurb?

The main characters in the series are fictional yet actual historical figures play a part in each book.

For instance, history lovers may recognize Allan Pinkerton, the famous detective who established a detective agency before the Civil War. Pinkerton’s agents (called scouts) were loyal to the Union and were active in several southern cities, including Richmond, which is the setting of Books 2 and 3 in the series. Connections with Pinkerton scouts touch this series.

Mrs. Rose Greenhow, a Confederate spy living in Washington DC, built up a network of spies. Rose’s real-life story impacts the fictitious Swanson family in our series.

The last two books of the series will see the influence of Miss Elizabeth Van Lew, a Richmond citizen famous for being a Union spy.

A surprising amount of spying took place in many locations during the war. This series shows some of the spy activities that took place in the two capitals.

Readers are going to love the combination of history, romance, and spy adventures! Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

I’d love for readers to connect with me on my blog, Historical Nibbles. I share historical recipes and food-related posts, American history posts, and book reviews. I also share recipes from my books and historical background for my stories. It’s a lot of fun—and a fair amount of work—to maintain this blog. I invite readers to check it out.

Readers can also look for me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads, and my Amazon Author Page.

Any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?

I’m so happy you asked! In addition to this “Spies of the Civil War” series, I am writing a series that begins in 1877, so this one isn’t set during the Civil War. In Ginny’s Shadow is the first book of the as yet unnamed series.

Rose understands Samuel only considers his children when he proposes a marriage of convenience after losing his wife. He feels his schoolteacher friend can help raise his children, but can Rose find love with her schoolgirl crush when the family pushes her away?

Thank you for inviting me to be a guest on your blog today, Gina. I had a wonderful time!

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 8

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, February 9 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, February 9

Genesis 5020, February 10

For Him and My Family, February 11

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 12

Inklings and notions, February 13

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 14

Connie’s History Classroom, February 15

Betti Mace, February 16

deb’s Book Review, February 16

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 18

Blossoms and Blessings, February 19

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 20 (Spotlight)

Reflections From My Bookshelves, February 20

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 21

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sandra is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/19bc7/avenue-of-betrayal-celebration-tour-giveaway